Nebraska Football: Game-by-Game Breakdown of the 2012 Schedule

The Nebraska Cornhuskers finished with a solid season season in their first year in the Big Ten as they racked up a 9-4 record and reached a bowl game for the fourth consecutive year.

Bo Pelini and company will now try and take things to the next level as they return a very talented team that includes 16 starters from a year ago.

This could end up being a huge year for Nebraska as they have a Big Ten title and a possible BCS National Championship on their mind.

Last year's football season may have just ended, but it's never too early to make predictions.

Here are predictions for Nebraska's schedule next year.

Vs. Southern Miss 09/01

The key thing that made the Golden Eagles team so good last year was that their defense allowed less than three touchdowns a game.

You take away six starters on that side of the ball and give them a new head coach and I like the Cornhuskers chances. Not to mention the game is at home for Nebraska as well.

Nebraska wins: 32-21

At UCLA 09/08

I really don't know what to make of this Bruins team with a first-year head coach in Jim Mora. Sure, they have a talented class coming in, but this team couldn't do much right last season.

With a Nebraska team that's returning 16 starters, you have to pick them in this matchup. UCLA will be good in a year or two, but they won't change overnight.

Nebraska wins: 29-14

Vs. Arkansas State 09/15

If there was any Sun Belt team you'd want to avoid, it probably would have been Arkansas State. The Red Wolves did just pick up offensive genius Gus Malzahn for a head coach and Michael Dyer at running back who ran for over 1,000 yards two years straight at Auburn.

But the bottom line is that Arkansas State is still a Sun Belt team and two guys aren't going to beat a whole team from the Big Ten.

Nebraska wins: 47-17

Vs. Wisconsin 09/29

This game is going to come down to who can be more successful at running the football. Wisconsin has Montee Ball, who I wouldn't bet against, and Nebraska has quarterback Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead.

This game could really go either way, but as of right now you'd have to pick the home team which happens to be Nebraska.

Nebraska wins: 35-31

At Ohio State 10/06

This game is going to be very difficult for the Cornhuskers to pull off. Both of these teams are very similar as they're both well coached and play solid defense. The difference in this game will come down to the quarterback play and I think Braxton Miller has made more plays with his arm than Taylor Martinez has.

The Buckeyes are also the home team, where they do fairly well.

Ohio State wins: 24-21

At Northwestern 10/20

I don't see Nebraska losing two games in a row. Especially against Northwestern, which is a team that lost their starting quarterback and leading receiver in Jeremy Ebert.

I like what Pat Fitzgerald is doing with the Wildcats, I just don't think his team is on this level quite yet.

Nebraska wins: 36-21

Vs. Michigan 10/27

The Wolverines absolutely destroyed Nebraska last year and Taylor Martinez had one of his worst performances of the season.

I don't think the margin of victory will be so large this time, but I do believe the Wolverines will win once again. Michigan has eight starers returning on defense to once again bottle up Martinez and Michigan has a more balanced offense to lead the way.

Michigan wins: 35-27

At Michigan State 11/03

If Nebraska was able to beat the Spartans by three touchdowns when they met a year ago, they should have no problem this time.

Michigan State is missing their starting quarterback and their top four receivers from a year ago have all graduated. How in the world are they going to score points?

Nebraska wins: 35-10

Vs. Penn State 11/10

Penn State was a very talented team on the defensive side of the ball, but only returned a total of five starters. On offense only five players return as well, but they probably don't mind considering they ranked 110th in the country in scoring offense.

I do think the Nittany Lions will be a better team than they were last year, although they won't upset Nebraska.

Nebraska wins: 24-10

Vs. Minnesota 11/17

If you're a fan of history, you know who's going to win this game. Nebraska has won the last 15 games when these two teams met up.

Minnesota is also a team that went 3-9 last year and was raked 11th in scoring offense and 93rd in scoring defense. Do I really need to say more?

Nebraska wins: 45-10

At Iowa 11/23

Upset alert!

Iowa is not a bad team at all, as they were one of the most balanced teams last year. They played solid defense and had a balanced offense that averaged nearly four touchdowns a game.

They're returning 13 starters from a team that finished 7-6. That may not be that convincing, but Nebraska s 2-4 against the Hawkeyes in the last six games being played in Iowa. Don't be surprised if the Cornhuskers end their season on a bad note.

Iowa wins: 32-28

Randy Chambers is a B/R featured columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].